Ultra mild surfactant with foam enhancer

ABSTRACT

This invention comprises a composition which provides ultra skin mildness, and excellent lather. This invention is based on an ultra mild surfactant composition comprising: (I) C 8  alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (C 8  AGS), and (II) foam enhancers for improved foam/lather potential and/or stability.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to mild surfactants with foam enhancers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mild surfactants and to cleansers comprising mild synthetic surfactants.

Personal cleansing with mild surface-active cleansing preparations has become a focus of great interest. Many people wash and scrub their skin and hair with various surface-active preparations frequently. Ideal cleansers should cleanse gently, causing little or no irritation, without defatting and overdrying after frequent routine use. Most lathering soaps, shampoos, dishwashing liquids, etc., fall short in this respect.

Mild Surfactants

For background on the uses and preparation of mild alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates see U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,094,489, Hulter, issued Sept. 28, 1937; U.S. Pat. No. 2,427,576, Smith, issued Sept. 16, 1947; U.S. Pat. No. 2,427,577, Smith, issued Sept. 16, 1947; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,511, Mills et al., issued June 13, 1961, all incorporated herein by reference. See also U.S. Pat. No. 2,989,547, Whyte, issued June 20, 1961; U.S. Pat. No. 2,999,068, Pilcher et al., issued Sept. 5, 1961; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,273, Whyte et al., issued Mar. 6, 1962, all incorporated herein by reference. While the prior art discloses the preparation and/or the use of alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (AGS) per se (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,273, supra), many do not even mention C₈ AGS, and none uses a C₈ AGS in a personal cleansing example.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,470, Tokosh et al., issued Dec. 25, 1979, discloses a detergent bar with from 2-6% of sodium alkoxy hydroxy propane sulfonate (AGS) with alkyl chains of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms; but only C_(1O), C₁₄, and C₁₈ AGS are used in the Examples and only at levels of 4-5%. A small amount of sodium chloride is also required. The detergent bar is predominately acyl isethionate. The AGS and salt are used to improve bar wear rate without adversely affecting its lathering characteristics. No advantage of using C₈ AGS is suggested and it is not used in a working example.

In an unrelated art, U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,102, Ishihara et al , issued July 16, 1974, discloses C₈ AGS in high speed silver iodobromide emulsion for photographic coating composition. No C₈ AGS purity details are disclosed.

A major drawback of most mild synthetic surfactant systems when formulated for skin or hair cleansing is poor lather performance. The use of high sudsing anionic surfactants can yield acceptable lather volume. Unfortunately, the highest sudsing anionic surfactants are, in fact, poor in skin "patch test" mildness. While the moderately mild sodium lauryl glyceryl ether sulfonate (C₁₂ AGS), is relatively good in lather potential, the ultra mild C₁₈ AGS is very poor in lather potential. It will be appreciated that mildness and lather, make surfactant selection a delicate balancing act. Thus, it will be appreciated that rather stringent requirements for mild cleansers limit the choice of surface-active agents and final formulations represent some degree of compromise. Mildness is often obtained at the expense of effective cleansing and lathering. Needless to say, an ultra mild surfactant with good lather potential is hard to find.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultra mild surfactant with selected lather boosters for optimum lather potential and/or lather stability.

Another object of this invention is to provide cleansing compositions which exhibit superior skin mildness while maintaining acceptable lather potential and/or lather stability.

Other objects will become apparent from the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a static diffusion cell diagram which is used to measure surfactant mildness.

FIG. 2 shows comparative lather volume and mildness results of a C₈ AGS surfactant solution vs. various other AGS surfactant solutions.

FIG. 3 shows mildness patch test results for various concentrations of C₈ AGS (Example 1) vs. a Standard (Example 7) mixture of AGS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention comprises:

I. an ultra mild alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate surfactant composition comprising at least about 65% C₇₋₉ alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (C₈ AGS) with no more than 35% of higher alkyl chained AGS; and

II. foam enhancers for improved foam stability and/or improved lather potential.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to compositions comprising an ultra mild surfactant and a foam enhancer for surprisingly acceptable lather potential and stability. The C₈ AGS offers a remarkable combination of desirable properties for mild cleansing formulations which have superior skin mildness and acceptable lather benefits. The compositions can be used in shampoos, toilet bars, light duty liquids, or any other surfactant-based product which comes in contact with the skin.

Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,525, Small et al., issued June 16, 1987, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,211, Stiros, issued July 6, 1982, hereby incorporated herein by reference, disclose personal cleansing products in which the ultra mild AGS surfactant of this invention can be used as improvements of such already mild products.

The percentages, ratios, and parts herein are on a total composition or surfactant weight basis, unless otherwise specified. All levels and ranges herein are approximations unless otherwise specified.

I. Ultra Mild Surfactant

The ultra mild surfactant as defined herein is a C₈ AGS which has a Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value (as defined hereinbelow) of less than about 1. The Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value 1, "the mildness value" is defined as that of Standard AGS as set out in Example 7 hereinbelow. See FIG. 2 herein for reference point--Value 1.

In other words, the ultra mild surfactant comprises alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (AGS) having from about 65% to about 100% of the AGS surfactant with an alkyl backbone chain selected from chains having from about 7 to about 9 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof; and wherein the alkyl has a total of no more than 10 carbon atoms; and wherein the ultra mild AGS surfactant has a Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value of less than the Standard AGS surfactant which has an alkyl carbon chain distribution of 58/21/10/9 C₁₂ /C₁₄ /C₁₆ /C₁₈. This Standard, Example 7 below, C₁₂ /C₁₄ /C₁₆ /C₁₈ AGS has a Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value of 1 by definition. The ultra mild AGS surfactant of this invention has a Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value of less than about 1, preferably less than about 0.9, is significantly milder and is at least 75% as good as or better as a foamer than the prior art Standard, Example 7, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The preferred cation in the AGS salt is sodium. However, other cations such as triethanol ammonium (TEA), ammonium, and K, etc. are also usable.

The C₈ AGS, as defined herein, is derived from an ether consisting mainly of C₇, C₈ or C₉ straight alkyl chains. C₈ is the preferred straight chain length. The rest of the ether can consist of up to about one-third of longer straight alkyl chain lengths in the C_(1O) -C₁₆ range. C₈ AGS, as defined herein, is a surfactant system comprising said C₇ -C₉ AGS at a level of at least 65% and has a Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value of from about 0 up to less than 1. Also included as C₈ AGS are AGS's derived from ethers having branched or mixed branched and straight chain lengths that may emulate said C₇ -C₉ straight chain lengths, e.g., ethyl octanol, methyl octanol, and the like.

In other words, the ultra mild, good foaming surfactant comprising alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (AGS) surfactant. The ultra mild AGS surfactant has a hydrophobic group which contains a linear alkyl chain containing from about 7 to 9 carbon atoms, and which can contain one or two branched C₁ or C₂ alkyl groups for a total of up to about 10 carbon atoms; and wherein the ultra mild AGS surfactant has a Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value of less than about 1.

A preferred ultra mild AGS surfactant contains no more than about 35% of other AGS with linear alkyl chains of 10 to 16 carbon atoms. The preferred ultra mild AGS surfactant comprises a hydrophobic linear chain containing eight carbon atoms and has a Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value of from about 0 to about 0.9, more preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.5, and more preferably has from about 75% to about 90% C₈ alkyl chains. A more preferred ultra mild AGS surfactant of this invention has at least about 80% AGS surfactant having alkyl backbone chains of from 7 to 9 straight chain carbon atoms with branched chains of up to about 10 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.

In Vitro Skin Barrier Destruction Test

The skin barrier destruction test (see test apparatus in FIG. 1) is used to assess the irritancy potential of surfactants. In this test the milder the surfactant, the lesser the skin barrier 4 is destroyed. Skin barrier destruction is measured by the relative amount of radio-labeled water (³ H--H₂ O) which passes from the test solution 3 through the skin epidermis 5 into the physiological buffer contained in the diffusate chamber 6. (This test is also described by T. J. Franz in the J. Invest. Dermatol., 1975, 64, pp. 190-195.)

The skin barrier destruction test utilizes a static diffusion cell 1 diagrammed in FIG. 1. Human skin epidermis 5 is placed on the flat area of the diffusate chamber 6 which is filled with physiological buffer (pH 7.4) 11 for collection of the transported radio-labeled water. The diffusate chamber 6 is either surrounded by a water jacket 12 or placed in an aluminum heating block for temperature control. Temperature can thus be provided by circulating water (outflow 8 and inflow 9) pumped from a water bath at a predetermined temperature. A water-jacketed top is connected to a second circulator/temperature bath. Both the diffusate chamber 6 and the test solution reservoir 2 are maintained at 37° C. An O-ring joint clamp secures the test solution reservoir 2, sandwiching the skin epidermis 5 in between it and the diffusate chamber 6.

This test uses cells which have a diffusion area of 0.20 cm². The diffusate chamber 6 holds approximately 5 ml. The bottom of the chamber 6 is flattened to allow spinning of a small magnetic stirring bar 10. The bars 10 are spun by a series of permanent magnets attached to individual electric motors.

The test solution reservoir 2 holds approximately 1 ml of test solution 3. During testing the tops of reservoir 2 are sealed with Parafilm to inhibit evaporation and prevent spillage.

Human abdominal skin is obtained from a local skin bank which procured and processed the skin for protective freezing and storage as described by V. P. Perrin (J. Cryosurgery, 1968, 89-99). The sheets of skin are supplied as 0.012" thickness pieces shipped and maintained on dry ice until used. The skin is then thawed by submerging individual packets under warm (˜95° F.) running water for 3-5 minutes. The skin is then cut into 3/4"×182 " squares for mounting onto the diffusion cells.

Test Procedure

The following discussion describes the In Vitro Skin Barrier Destruction Test procedure. Use either 55 or 25 cells per test, 5 replicates per treatment. This permits testing of either 10 or 4 surfactant solutions plus a water control. Due to the large variability in percutaneous transport (site to site and individual to individual), the water control is a mandatory reference point for each experiment.

Dose test solutions are prepared on a weight/weight basis at 0.5% on a top-loading (±0.01 g) balance. Since each static diffusion cell 1 is dosed with 0.50 ml, a minimum of 3 ml of each test solution 3 should be prepared (5 doses + standard). Each solution is spiked with ³ H--H₂ O to an approximate activity of 1.8 milliCurie/ml dosing solution. This insures a sufficient level of ³ H transport for the sampling interval.

During sample collection, the entire volume of the diffusate chamber 6 is emptied through the sampling port 7, rinsed, and refilled with fresh buffer solution 11. Samples are collected at 3, 6, and 24 hours after initial dosing. The sample plus rinse is emptied into a scintillation vial and analyzed by liquid scintillation counting.

Standards are included for each sample. One hundred and 200 microliter samples are placed in individual scintillation vials and brought to 7 ml total volume with buffer solution. The counts per minute (cpm) for diffusate samples are converted to equivalent mg water.

All data represent the total quantity of ³ H--H₂ O which penetrate the skin during a 24 hour test duration. Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Values (relative mildness) are calculated for the AGS surfactants of Examples 1-8 described below in Tables 1 and 2 and illustrated in FIG. 2. This is done by dividing the mg of water penetrated for each Example by that penetrated for the Standard AGS mixture of Example 7. Thus, numbers greater than 1 indicate greater skin irritation potential than the Standard AGS mixture of Example 7. On the other hand, numbers less than 1 represent AGS surfactants milder than the Standard.

Relative Foam Volume Potential

In addition to improved and unexpected mildness, the foam volume potential of the C₈ AGS is important. Thus, a Relative Foam Volume Potential Test is devised to show C₈ AGS's unexpected good foam volume potential. In short, the Relative Foam Volume Potential of the C₈ AGS surfactants of the present invention is at least about 75% as good as or better than the Standard AGS. A quantitative blender foam (lather potential) volume test is used to measure the Relative Foam Volume Potential of surfactants.

Equipment

1. Specially designed 500 ml graduate cylinder adapted with blender impeller. The sharp edge of the impeller blade (2.3 cm) is the trailing edge.

2. Waring Blender Base No. 7011-31BL92 with high/low speed switch.

3. Variac Voltage Regulator. Voltage to blender is adjusted so that blender disk rotates at 18,000 rpm unloaded (with no cylinder on).

Procedure

1. A 0.5% solution (dry weight) of the surfactant in tap water is used.

2. Warm and clean cylinder by rinsing it with hot tap water. Drain water from cylinder and check to make sure solution temperature is 95°-105° F. (about 37° C.). (If solution is too cool, it can be warmed gently on a hot plate. Cylinder should be rinsed again if it becomes cool while this is being done.)

3. Pour 82 ml of solution into cylinder; put cylinder on blender base. Turn blender on for ten seconds, after checking to make sure Variac is set on line.

4. Wait ten seconds and record level of the top of the layer of foam.

5. Repeat procedure with a new solution. The Relative Foam Volume Potential of the Standard AGS is given the value of "1". The C₈ AGS and several other AGS surfactant mixtures and their Relative Foam Volume Potential values are shown in FIG. 2 and below in Tables 1 and 2. The C₈ AGS has a Relative Foam Volume Potential Value of at least "1", and preferably from about 1.05 to about 1.15.

II. Foam Enhancers

The ultra mild surfactant, sodium C₈ glyceryl ether sulfonate, as defined herein, is ultra mild and is an acceptable foamer. This is demonstrated in in vitro non-clinical mildness testing and foam potential reports (FIG. 2). While desirable to incorporate into a skin cleanser for its mildness properties, this C₈ AGS alone may not provide optimum lather creaminess for certain executions; thus, foam enhancers can be added to provide optimum lather creaminess, volume, or stability.

The percentage of foam enhancer is defined herein as the Relative Amount of Foam Enhancer to total surfactant. For example, a typical shampoo has 17% total surfactant (e.g.,13% C₈ AGS plus 4% C₁₂ -C₁₃ alkyl polyglycoside). Here the foam enhancer level is 4% and the total surfactant level is 17%, so the relative level of the foam enhancer is 4/17 or 23.5% of the total surfactant. With the exception of salts, the foam enhancers are considered part of the total surfactant, for purposes of this calculation.)

Alkyl polyglycoside detergents are good C₈ AGS foam enhancers. The alkyl group can vary from about 8 to about 22 and the glycoside units per molecule can vary from about 1.1 to about 5 to provide an appropriate balance between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the molecule. Combinations of C₈ -C₁₈, preferably C₁₂ -C₁₆, alkyl polyglycosides with average degrees of glycosidation ranging from about 1.1 to about 2.7, preferably from about 1.2 to about 2.5, are preferred. These types can be used at a relative level based on the total surfactant of from about 5% to about 60%, preferably from about 20% to about 50%, and, in some products, from about 22% to about 35% is preferred.

Amine oxide detergents are good C₈ AGS foam enhancers. Some preferred amine oxides are C₈ -C₁₈, preferably C₁₀ -C₁₆, alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and C₈ -C₁₈, preferably C₁₂ -C₁₆, fatty acyl amidopropyl dimethyl amine oxides and mixtures thereof. These types of foam enhancers can be used at a relative level of from about 5% to about 30%, preferably from about 8% to about 20% of the total surfactant.

Fatty acid alkanolamides are good C₈ AGS foam enhancers. Some preferred alkanolamides are C₈ -C₁₈, preferably C₁₂ -C₁₆, monoethanolamides, diethanolamides, and monoisopropanolamides and mixtures thereof. These types of foam enhancers can be used at a relative level of from about 10% to about 30%, preferably from about 12% to about 20% of the total surfactant.

Betaines are good foam enhancers. Betaines such as C₈ -C₁₈, preferably C₁₂ -C₁₆, alkyl betaines, e.g., coco betaines or C₈ -C₁₈, preferably C₁₂ -C₁₆, acyl amido betaines, e.g., cocoamidopropyl betaine, and mixtures thereof, are preferred. These are used at a relative level of from about 10% to about 30%, preferably from about 12% to about 20% of the total surfactant.

Water-soluble halide salts can be used as C₈ AGS foam enhancers. Sodium, magnesium, potassium, ammonium, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine (TEA) chloride salts are preferred. These types can be used at a relative level of from about 10% to about 30%, preferably from about 12% to about 20%, of the total surfactant. MgCl₂ is the preferred salt.

C₈ "AGS acetone solubles" can be used as foam enhancers. These types of foam enhancers are described in more detail herein and can be used at a relative level of from about 10% to about 40%, preferably from about 15% to about 30%. The principal components of the acetone solubles are propane-1,2-diol alkyl ether and diglyceryl alkyl ether described hereinbelow. These components can also be provided by "under sulfonation" to provide said principal components at a C₈ AGS to unsulfonated material ratio of from 1:1 to 1:0.1, more preferably from 1:0.8 to 1:0.4. See Example 22. The alkyl groups correspond to the starting materials.

Certain other high foaming or stabilizing surfactants can be used in combination with C₈ AGS to provide a creamier and more stable lather. One such surfactant is sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (trade name Hamposyl L, made by Hampshire Chemical).

Cleansing Compositions Containing C₈ AGS

In summary, a number of cleansing products can be formulated using the ultra mild C₈ AGS as a major or primary surfactant. U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,525, issued June 16, 1987; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,253, issued Mar. 14, 1989, both to Small et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,211, Stiros, issued July 6, 1982; all hereby incorporated herein by reference, disclose several personal cleansing products. The present C₈ AGS invention can be employed as the sole, a primary, or co-surfactant, along with one or more ingredients selected from polymeric skin feel aids, moisturizers, fillers, soaps, etc., to provide improved mildness of the prior art product. The following patents disclose or refer to such ingredients and formulations, and are hereby incorporated herein by reference:

    ______________________________________                                         U.S. Pat. No.                                                                              Issue Date    Inventor(s)                                          ______________________________________                                         3,761,418   9/1973        Parran, Jr.                                          4,234,464   11/1980       Morshauser                                           4,061,602   12/1977       Oberstar et al.                                      4,472,297   9/1984        Bolich et al.                                        4,491,539   1/1985        Hoskins et al.                                       4,540,507   9/1985        Grollier                                             4,673,525   6/1987        Small et al.                                         4,704,224   11/1987       Saud                                                 4,812,253   3/1989        Small et al.                                         4,820,447   4/1989        Medcalf et al.                                       ______________________________________                                    

A preferred liquid or paste composition, e.g., a shampoo, comprises 1-25%, preferably 3-15%, mild C₈ AGS, 2-25% total foam enhancer and balance water or liquid. A preferred liquid facial cleanser comprises 1-25%, preferably 5-15%, C₈ AGS. A preferred dishwashing liquid comprises from about 3% to about 25% mild C₈ AGS, preferably from about 5% to about 20%, and more preferably from about 10% to about 15% of the ultra mild C₈ AGS. In contrast, liquids made with the Standard AGS alone have a phase separation problem at levels of AGS of over about 0.5%, and with a good co-surfactant the Standard AGS has a phase separation problem at levels of over about 4-5% by weight of the aqueous liquid. C₈ AGS, on the other hand, can be used at levels up to about 20%, preferably at levels of about 5-18%, by weight of the liquid.

A preferred ultra mild skin cleansing composition is a toilet bar comprising: from 10-80%, preferably from 20-50%, mild C₈ AGS surfactant; from 10-40% moisturizer; from 0.1-5% polymeric skin feel aid, and from 5-25% soap. The synthetic surfactant and soap preferably have a ratio of from 2:1 to 12:1, more preferably the synthetic to soap ratio is from 4:1 to 10:1, or from 6:1 to 9:1.

In this respect, limited amounts of other surfactants can be used with the foam enhanced ultra mild C₈ AGS invention. Numerous examples of other surfactants are disclosed in the above incorporated by reference patents. They include alkyl sulfates, soaps, other suitable alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates (AGS), anionic acyl sarcosinates, methyl acyl taurates, N-acyl glutamates, acyl isethionates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl phosphate esters, ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters, trideceth sulfates, protein condensates, mixtures of ethoxylated alkyl sulfates and alkyl amine oxides, betaines, sultaines, and mixtures thereof. Included in the surfactants are the alkyl ether sulfates with 1 to 12 ethoxy groups, especially ammonium and sodium lauryl ether sulfates. Alkyl chains for these surfactants are C₁₀ -C₂₂, preferably C₁₀ -C₁₈. Alkyl glycosides and methyl glucose esters are preferred mild nonionics which may be mixed with at least one of said mild anionic or amphoteric surfactants in the compositions of this invention. Soaps at levels of 1-25%, preferably 5.5-15%, can be included in bar compositions of this invention. The soaps are preferably made in situ via adding a base, e.g., NaOH, to convert free fatty acids in the composition mix.

The other ingredients can be used in compositions of the present invention for the various applications. E.g., perfumes can be used in formulating the skin cleansing products, generally at a level of from about 0.1% to about 1.5% of the composition. Alcohols, hydrotropes, colorants, and fillers such as talc and clay, can also be used. Preservatives, e.g., EDTA, generally at a level of less than 1% of the composition, can be incorporated in the cleansing products to prevent microbiological growth. Anti-bacterials can also be incorporated, usually at levels up to 1.5%.

EXAMPLES

The following examples and methods are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. More details and alternative methods of making and purifying generic alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,511, Mills and Korsi, issued June 13, 1961, incorporated herein by reference. All levels and ranges, temperatures, results etc., used herein are approximations unless otherwise specified. The following AGS Examples are all made with saturated straight chain alcohols.

EXAMPLE 1

Step 1 is the production of alkyl chloroglyceryl ether. One thousand grams of octanol (C₈ alcohol) are charged to a reaction flask and heated to 150° F. (65° C.). About 4 ml of stannic chloride are added, avoiding exposure to the air outside the reaction flask. (About 2-8 ml of stannic chloride can be added.) The reaction mix is well stirred and maintained at a temperature of 145°-150° F. (60°-65° C.) while 800 grams of epichlorohydrin are slowly added at a rate of about one drop per minute. After all the epichlorohydrin has been added the mixture is maintained at a temperature of 150° F. (65° C.) for 90 minutes more.

Step 2 is the production of alkyl glycidyl ether. Three hundred grams of alkyl chloroglyceryl ether of Step 1, 183 grams of water and 69 grams of sodium hydroxide are charged to a well stirred flask and heated to 190° F. (84° C.) for one hour. Stirring is stopped and the mixture allowed to cool to room temperature. The organic layer is separated from the aqueous layer.

Step 3 is sulfonation using as starting reagents 74 grams of alkyl glycidyl ether of Step 2, 90 grams of water, 36 grams of sodium meta-bisulfite and 3 grams of sodium hydroxide are charged to an autoclave. If available. A heel of C₈ AGS from earlier production, about 10% of the total reaction mass, is added to the starting reagents. Sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) is added as a processing aid to chelate metals such as iron. The mixture is well stirred and heated until it reaches a temperature of about 360° F. (182° C.) (exothermic heat of reaction will supply part of the heating). The reaction mix is held at 360° F. (182° C.) for about 25 minutes and then cooled to room temperature. The pH is adjusted to about 9 with sodium hydroxide. This product is 100% C₈ AGS discounting non-AGS materials. It is identified as Example 1 in Table 1. See U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,511, supra, for detailed alternative methods of making and purifying AGS.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

Step 1. The production of a 60/40 C₈ -C₁₀ alkyl chloroglyceryl ether is the same as in Example 1, except that 352 grams of C₈ -C₁₀ alcohol and 262 grams of epichlorohydrin are used. (The alcohol is about 3 parts octanol to about 2 parts decanol.)

Step 2. The production of alkyl glycidyl ether is the same as in Example 1, except that 622 grams of alkyl chloroglycerol ether, 148 grams of sodium hydroxide and 417 grams of water are used.

Step 3. The sulfonation is the same as in Example 1, except that 57.6 grams of alkyl glycidyl ether, 59 grams of water, 24.5 grams of sodium meta-bisulfite, and 2.4 grams of sodium hydroxide are used. This product is about 60/40 C₈ /C₁₀ AGS as reported in Table 1. Note that the mildness value reported in Table 2 is about 1. A 65/35 C₈ /C₁₀ AGS has a mildness value of less than 1. See the mildness curve in FIG. 2.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

Step 1. The production of a C₁₀ alkyl chloroglyceryl ether is the same as in Example 1, except that 283 grams of decyl alcohol and 187 grams of epichlorohydrin are used.

Step 2. The production of alkyl glycidyl ether is the same as in Example 2.

Step 3. The sulfonation is the same as in Example 1, except that 390 grams of alkyl glycidyl ether, 290 grams of water, 108 grams of sodium meta-bisulfite, and 11 grams of sodium hydroxide are used. This product is about 100% C₁₀ AGS.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

Step 1. The production of a C₁₂ alkyl chloroglyceryl ether is the same as in Example 1, except that 345 grams of dodecyl alcohol and 193 grams of epichlorohydrin are used.

Step 2. The production of alkyl glycidyl ether is the same as in Example 2.

Step 3. Sulfonation is the same as in Example 1, except that 80 grams of alkyl glycidyl ether, 94 grams of water, 24.8 grams of sodium meta-bisulfite, and 2.5 grams of sodium hydroxide are used. This product is about 100% C₁₂ AGS.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5

A 65/26/6 C₁₂ /C₁₄ /C₁₆ alkyl glycidyl ether is obtained from a Procter & Gamble commercial production. The sulfonation step is the same as in Example 1, except that 36.6 grams of alkyl glycidyl ether, 42.4 grams of water, 11 grams of sodium meta-bisulfite, and 1.17 grams of sodium hydroxide are used. A 65/C₁₂, 26/C₁₄ and 6/C₁₄ AGS mixture is the product.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 6 and 7

The AGS of Example 6 and the AGS Standard Example 7 are commercial cuts obtained from Procter & Gamble. Their alkyl chain distributions are, respectively, 68/25/7 C₁₂ /C₁₄ /C₁₆ and the Standard 58/21/10/9 C₁₂ /C₁₄ /C₁₆ /C₁₈ as reported in Tables 1 and 2.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 8

Step 1. The production of the C₁₈ alkyl chloroglyceryl ether is the same as in Example 1, except that 396 grams of octadecyl alcohol and 260 grams of epichlorohydrin are used.

Step 2. The production of alkyl glycidyl ether is the same as in Example 1, except that 660 grams of C₁₈ alkyl chloroglyceryl ether, 232 grams of sodium hydroxide and 926 grams of water are used.

Step 3. The sulfonation is the same as in Example 1, except that 107 grams of C₁₈ alkyl glycidyl ether, 134 grams of water, 36.4 grams of sodium meta-bisulfite, and 3.2 grams of sodium hydroxide are used.

In general, after Step 3, any remaining water phase is separated from the AGS surfactant paste. If completion is not good, the paste can be purified by washing with warm ethyl acetate and/or ethanol.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Summary of Surfactant Chain Lengths Used in Examples 1-8                                                   Average                                            AGS Alkyl Chain Length Distribution (%)                                                                    Chain                                              Example                                                                               C.sub.8                                                                               C.sub.10                                                                               C.sub.12                                                                            C.sub.14                                                                             C.sub.16                                                                            C.sub.18                                                                             Length                             ______________________________________                                         1      100    --      --   --    --   --    8.0                                2       60     40     --   --    --   --    8.8                                3      --     100     --   --    --   --    10.0                               4      --     --      100  --    --   --    12.0                               5      --     --      65   26    6    --    12.4                               6      --     --      68   25    7    --    12.8                               7      --     --      58   21    10    9    13.1                               8      --     --      --   --    --   100   18.0                               ______________________________________                                    

Table 1 sets out the AGS compositions of Examples 1-8. Their Relative Foam Volumes and Mildness Values are reported in Table 2 and are shown in FIG. 2. All Examples except Example 1 comprise more than 35% C₁₀ -C₁₈ AGS. Note that the AGS surfactants of Comparative Examples 2-6 are harsher than the Standard AGS Example 7. But the C₈ AGS, Example 1, is milder. Its Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value is only 0.42, which is much milder than the Standard "1". Its Relative Foam Volume Potential Value is 1.10, which is much better than the Standard "1".

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Foam Volumes and Mildness Values for Examples 1-8                                     Avg. Chain                                                                               Foam Volume       Mild-                                       Example                                                                               Length    (ml) (X/360)      ness*                                       ______________________________________                                         1      8.0        395**    (1.10)    0.42***                                   2      8.8       440       (1.22)    1.03                                      3      10.0      450       (1.25)    1.62                                      4      12.0      395       (1.10)    1.24                                      5      12.4      410       (1.14)    1.39                                      6      12.8      390       (1.08)    1.56                                      7      13.1      360       (1.00)****                                                                               1.00****                                  8      18.0      100       (0.28)    0.31                                      ______________________________________                                          *Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value.                                      **Average of two tests on one sample.                                          ***Average of three tests on two samples.                                      ****Reference Point "1" for mildness as well as for Relative Foam Volume       Potential.                                                               

Foam Enhancer-Cylinder Test and Examples 9-15

In some executions, the enhancement of the foam potential and foam stability of the C₈ AGS surfactant are essential. The foam enhancement potential of a potential enhancer is measured by the Foam Enhancer-Cylinder Test as follows. Ten grams of surfactant solution (with and without foam enhancer) are added to 108 ml of 100° F. water of the desired hardness. To this is added 2 grams of artificial sebum. The mixture is stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 15 seconds at high speed, with care being taken not to generate a foam. The pH is adjusted to 6.5 using NH₄ OH or HCl, as appropriate. The resulting mixed solution is gently added to a 1000 ml graduated cylinder and stoppered. The cylinder is then mounted on a rotating device where it is rotated end-over-end for 20 complete revolutions in approximately 40 seconds. The foam volume in the cylinder is then read immediately, at 1 minute and at 2 minutes. Results are recorded as is, hence a reading of about 120 ml is indicative of no foam. In general, triplicate runs are made. In addition, the rotating apparatus is set up to handle 2 cylinders at a time.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Artificial Sebum Composition                                                   Ingredient        Wt. %                                                        ______________________________________                                         Oleic Acid        19.1                                                         Olive Oil         21.57                                                        Palmitic Acid     5.0                                                          Coconut Oil       19.10                                                        Stearic Acid      2.5                                                          Squalene          6.0                                                          Paraffin Oil (light)                                                                             5.0                                                          Cholesterol       2.5                                                          Lanolin           7.5                                                          Coconut Fatty Acid                                                                               5.8                                                          Dodecane          5.8                                                          Choleth-24        0.03                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 9-15

Examples 9-15, save Example 9, are prepared by adding the foam enhancers to base C₈ AGS at the levels shown in Table 4. The Relative Amount of Foam Enhancer for Example 9 is 0; for Example 10, 21%; for Example 11, 23%; for Example 12, 11%; for Example 13, 15%; and for Example 14, 18%; and for Example 15, 15%. Note that the 2-minute foam volume stability is improved for all foam enhancers. The levels of C₈ AGS and foam enhancers shown in Table 4 are on a dry weight basis.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Foam Enhancement Data                                                                    Examples                                                             Ingredients 9      10     11   12   13   14   15                               ______________________________________                                         C.sub.8 AGS (100%)                                                                          17     14     13   17   17   17   17                              Acetone Solubles                                                                           --      3     --   --   --   --   --                               C.sub.12-14 G.sub.1.4 Alkyl                                                                --     --      4   --   --   --   --                               Polyglycosides                                                                 Dimethyldodecyl-                                                                           --     --     --    2   --   --   --                               amine Oxide                                                                    Coco-       --     --     --   --    3   --   --                               Diethanolamide                                                                 MgCl.sub.2  --     --     --   --   --    3   --                               Cocoamidopropyl                                                                            --     --     --   --   --   --    3                               Betaine                                                                        Water       qs     qs     qs   qs   qs   qs   qs                               Relative % Foam                                                                             0      18     24   11   15   18   15                              Enhancer                                                                        Cylinder Results:                                                             Initial Foam                                                                               445    400    515  360  450  500  540                              Volume (ml)                                                                    2 Min. Foam 145    390    500  355  440  485  525                              Volume                                                                         ______________________________________                                    

In the Foam Enhancer-Cylinder Test, 10 grams of the solutions are used. While the total surfactant levels in Examples 10-15 range from 17% to 20%, they all show improved foam stability or improved foam volume vs. Example 9. In Example 14, the MgCl₂ is not included as a surfactant, so its total surfactant level is 17%. Examples 9, 10, and 11 each have a total of 17% surfactant. Example 12 has a total of 19% surfactant. Examples 13 and 15 each have a total surfactant level of 20%. Examples 12, 13 and 15 maintain their foam stability when their total surfactant levels are lowered to 17%.

The Acetone Solubles of Example 10 are obtained by stirring about 100 grams of C₈ AGS product (43% moisture) with 500 ml of acetone at room temperature (23° C.) for about one hour. The resulting insoluble crystals are then filtered off using Whatman filter paper No. 1 on a Buchner funnel. The filtrate containing the acetone solubles is then concentrated on a Rotovap at about 45° C., with care being taken to avoid foaming. 50 ml of ethanol is then added and evaporated in order to form an azeotrope and distill off the water. Finally, about 150 ml of acetone is added to the resulting evaporated product. The resulting second crystallization crystals are gravity filtered. The second filtrate is then evaporated using the Rotovap. Approximately 4 gm of a clear acetone soluble liquid is isolated. Acetone can be substituted by solvents of similar polarity. L. R. Snyder, J. Chromatogr., 92, 223 (1974)

The "acetone soluble" fraction consists of a number of different components. The predominant component is propane-1,2-diol octyl ether (Structure I). Other components include, but are not restricted to water, octyl alcohol, C₈ AGS, and diglyceryl octyl ether (Structure II). ##STR1## In Table 4, the "Cylinder Results" show that the acetone solubles are good foam enhancers. About 3 parts are added to about 14 parts C₈ AGS for improved foam volume stability, 390 ml vs. 145 ml of Example 9.

EXAMPLE 16

In Table 5 is a light duty liquid made with 18% the C₈ AGS of Example 1. A comparable light duty liquid made with the Standard AGS of Example 7 has a serious stability problem at ordinary room temperatures. Phase separation is the problem for the light duty liquid made with a Standard AGS at an 18% level. Thus, the C₈ AGS light duty liquid of this Example provides a milder product, as well as a more stable product. (C₈ AGS can be used at levels of from about 5-20% by weight of such liquid products.)

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Light Duty Liquid                                                              Ingredient               Wt. %                                                 ______________________________________                                         Sodium C.sub.8 AGS       18                                                    Sodium AE.sub.12 S       8                                                     Dimethyldodecylamine oxide                                                                              5                                                     Ethanol                  5                                                     Sodium cumene sulfonate  2                                                     Sodium chloride          2                                                     Miscellaneous (perfumes, colorants, etc.)                                                               3                                                     Water                    57                                                    Total                    100                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The foam enhancer, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, is present at a relative foam enhancing level of about 16% by weight of the total surfactant system (5/31).

EXAMPLES 17-20

Toilet bars 17 and 18 of Table 6 are made using a procedure similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,525, supra, incorporated herein by reference.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Examples of Bars Made with C.sub.8 AGS                                                            Finished Bar (%)                                            Ingredient           Example 17                                                                               Example 18                                      ______________________________________                                         Sodium C.sub.8 AGS   67.25     52.25                                           Stearic Acid         0.90      0.90                                            Coconut Fatty Acid   8.10      8.10                                            Sodium Soap (70/30 Tallow/Coconut)                                                                  9.05      9.05                                            Water                4.00      4.00                                            Polymer JR-400 (Amerchol)                                                                           0.75      0.75                                            Sodium Isethionate (GAF)                                                                            5.00      5.00                                            TiO.sub.2            0.25      0.25                                            Sodium Chloride      4.00      4.00                                            Perfume              0.50      0.50                                            Mayoquest 1545 (EDTA)                                                                               0.20      0.20                                            Cottonseed Triglyceride                                                                             --        15.00                                           Totals               100.00    100.00                                          ______________________________________                                    

Toilet bars Examples 17 and 18 have an unexpected soap-like rinse feel attributed to the C₈ AGS.

Comparative toilet bars, Examples 19 and 20, are the same as the bars of Examples 17 and 18 except that the prior art Standard Example 7 AGS is used instead of the ultra mild C₈ AGS. These comparative bars, 19 and 20, are exemplary of the bars of U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,525, supra. Note that the AGS Patch Test data shown in FIG. 3 indicate that the C₈ AGS used in Bars 17 and 18 is significantly milder than the Standard AGS used in Bars 19 and 20. Likewise, the C₈ AGS used in Bars 17 and 18 is a better foamer than the Standard AGS used in Bars 19 and 20 as shown in Table 2 and FIG. 2.

Patch Test Protocol

The purpose of the patch test is to determine the level of primary skin irritation to human test subjects caused by three applications of a test AGS under conditions of occlusion.

Test Procedure: The subjects are 10 to 12 healthy adult volunteers between the ages of 18 and 65. Subjects are screened to eliminate those with pre-existing dermal allergies or active dermatitis.

The AGS are diluted with distilled water; dilutions are mixed thoroughly and may be heated slightly to aid in dissolution. Fresh dilutions are made prior to each patch application. Sufficient diluted test materials are applied to the patch to saturate the patch surface. Blenderm/Webril patches are used for this test.

Four patches are applied to the upper arms and reinforced with strips of a porous surgical tape of low irritation potential, e.g., MICROPORE® or SCANPOR®. The test is generally conducted according to the following schedule:

    ______________________________________                                         Friday         First set of patches applied.                                   Saturday       Patches removed* by subject.                                    Monday         Patch sites visually assessed;                                                 grades assigned;                                                               second set of patches applied.                                  Tuesday        Patches removed*                                                Wednesday      Patch sites visually assessed;                                                 grades assigned;                                                               third set of patches applied.                                   Thursday       Patches removed*                                                Friday         Patch sites visually assessed;                                                 grades assigned.                                                ______________________________________                                          *After patch removal, test sites are rinsed using a moistened cloth or         paper towel and patted dry.                                              

Grading: The grading is done by an individual who is familiar with the evaluation of skin reactions and with the 0-4 grading scale (see Table 7). If a subject receives a grade two or higher on any test site at any grading session, that particular site is not re-patched, but the site is graded to the completion of the test. In these cases, a score of 2.0 or the actual grade (whichever is higher) is assigned as the final grade and is used for evaluating the data

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Uniform Laboratory Patch Test Grading Scale                                    ______________________________________                                         0     No apparent cutaneous involvement.                                        1/2  Greater than 0, less than 1.                                             1     Faint but definite erythema, no eruptions or broken                            skin or no erythema but definite dryness; may have                             epidermal fissuring.                                                     11/2  Greater than 1, less than 2.                                             2     Moderate erythema, may have a few papules or deep                              fissures, moderate-to-severe erythema in the cracks.                     21/2  Greater than 2, less than 3.                                             3     Severe erythema (beet redness), may have generalized                           papules or moderate-to-severe erythema with slight                             edema (edges well defined by raising).                                   31/2  Greater than 3, less than 4.                                             4     Generalized vesicles or eschar formations or                                   moderate-to-severe erythema and/or edema extending                             beyond the area of the patch.                                            Typical Examples of Half-Grade Scores                                           1/2  Faint, barely perceptible erythema or slight dryness                           (glazed appearance).                                                     11/2  Well-defined erythema or faint erythema with definite                          dryness, may have epidermal fissuring.                                   21/2  Moderate erythema with barely perceptible edema or                             severe etythema not involving a significant portion                            of the patch (halo effect around the edges), may have                          a few papules or moderate-to-severe erythema.                            31/2  Moderate-to-severe erythema with moderate edema                                (confined to patch area) or moderate-to-severe                                 erythema with isolated eschar formations or vesicles.                    ______________________________________                                    

Results: For each test material, the average of all scores (10-12 subjects, 3 grading sessions) is calculated and reported as the average skin grade. Data can be statistically analyzed if desired; an analysis of variance is performed, followed by a Newman-Keuls test for significant differences between pairs of test materials.

Referring to FIG. 3, the C₈ AGS is clearly milder than the Standard AGS at four concentrations, i.e., about 0.04%; 0.08%; 0.5%; and 1%. As shown in FIG. 3, C₈ AGS has a Patch Test Value of less than 0.6 at concentrations up to about 1%; less than 0.5 at concentrations up to about 0.8%; less than 0.5 at concentrations up to about 0.5%; and less than 0.3 at concentrations up to about 0.2%.

EXAMPLE 21

A preferred facial cleanser formula using a C₈ AGS similar to that of Example 1 is set out in Table 8. It has a milder surfactant system than one made with a comparable amount of Standard AGS.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            Solution %                                               ______________________________________                                         Sodium C.sub.8 AGS    5                                                        Lauramide DEA         5                                                        Cocoamidopropyl Betaine 30%                                                                          2.5                                                      Sodium n-Lauroyl Sarcosinate 30%                                                                     2.5                                                      Dowicil 200 (quaternium-15)                                                                          0.2                                                      Perfume               0.05                                                     Water                 84.75                                                    Total                 100.00%                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Lauramide DEA, the betaine, and the sarcosinate are foam enhancers and are present at relative levels of 331/3%, 162/3%, and 162/3%, respectively, by weight of the total surfactant system. The foam stability for this liquid composition is much better than one in which the foam enhancers are replaced with C₈ AGS.

EXAMPLE 22

Steps 1 and 2 are similar to Example 1. Step 3 is similar to Example 1, except that under sulfonation provides a higher foaming C₈ AGS product.

Under sulfonation in this Example uses 9.11 parts of the alkyl glycidyl ether of Step 2; 17.75 parts of water; 351 parts of sodium meta-bisulfite; and 0.38 part of sodium hydroxide. A heel of C₈ AGS from earlier production, about 10% of the total reaction mass, is added to the starting reagents. Sodium ethylenediamine-tetraacetate (EDTA) is added as a processing aid to chelate metals such as iron. The mixture is well stirred and heated until it reaches a temperature of about 360° F. (182° C.) (exothermic heat of reaction will supply part of the heating). The reaction mix is held at 360° F. (182° C.) for about 10-25 minutes and then cooled to room temperature. The pH is adjusted to about 9 with sodium hydroxide. This product is about 70% C₈ AGS and about 30% unsulfonated materials. The principal components of the unsulfonated materials are propane-1,2-diol alkyl ether and diglyceryl alkyl ether, described hereinabove as acetone soluble. The alkyl groups correspond to the starting materials. Under sulfonation can produce 5-50% unsulfonated materials, preferably 10-40%. The under sulfonated C₈ AGS is a better foamer than the fully sulfonated C₈ AGS. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An excellent foaming, ultra mild surfactant system comprising:I. alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (AGS) surfactant having a hydrophobic group which consists essentially of linear alkyl chains of about 8 carbon atoms; and wherein said ultra mild alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate surfactant has no more than about 35% of linear alkyl chains of 10 to 18 carbon atoms; and wherein said ultra mild alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate surfactant has a Relative Skin Barrier Destruction Value of from about 0.1 to about 0.9; and II. a foam enhancer which increases or stabilizes the foam of said I; and wherein said foam enhancer is selected from the group consisting of (A) propane-1,2-diol alkyl ether, and (B) diglyceryl alkyl ether, and mixtures thereof; said foam enhancing level is from about 10% to about 40% by weight of the surfactant system.
 2. The excellent foaming, ultra mild surfactant system of claim 1 wherein said foam enhancer level is from about 15% to about 30% by weight of the surfactant system.
 3. The excellent foaming, ultra mild surfactant system of claim 1 wherein said composition contains a mixture of (a) propane-1,2-diol alkyl ether; and (b) diglyceryl alkyl ether at a ratio of C₈ AGS to (a+b) of from about 1:1 to about 1:0.1.
 4. The excellent foaming, ultra mild surfactant system of claim 3 wherein said ratio is from about 1:0.8 to about 1:0.4. 